Wiktionary
n. A stream that only flows in winter (or after wet weather)
Wikipedia
Winterbourne may refer to:
A winterbourne is a stream or river that is dry through the summer months. A winterbourne is sometimes simply called a bourne, from the Anglo-Saxon word for a stream flowing from a spring, although this term can also be used for all-year water courses.
Winterbournes generally form in areas where there is chalk (or other porous rock) downland bordering clay valleys or vales. When it rains, the porous chalk holds water in its aquifer, releasing the water at a steady rate. During dry seasons the water table may fall below the level of the stream's bed, causing it to dry out.
Winterbournes occasionally give their names to settlements. Many of the United Kingdom's 'Winterbournes' are villages in Dorset, such as Winterbourne Abbas, Winterborne Monkton, Winterborne St Martin, Zelston, Houghton, Whitchurch, and Compton. In Wiltshire, north of Avebury there are the villages of Winterbourne Monkton and Winterbourne Bassett; and in South Gloucestershire there are the villages of Winterbourne and Winterbourne Down.
Exploitation of chalk aquifers as a domestic water source in Britain has had the effect of converting many streams and rivers into artificial winterbournes. This effect is controversial, and local campaigns have often been successful in reducing aquifer abstraction and reversing the effect. For an example, see the River Pang in Berkshire.
There is a Winterbourne stream in a suburban area of Lewes, East Sussex. The area is also called Winterbourne. The stream runs from the foot of the Downs through a park, a housing estate, a public garden and ends at the Railway Land Nature Reserve. It is a clear and verdant stream, much frequented by ducks. Another Winterbourne stream is found In Chichester, West Sussex.
Winterbourne (also known as the John Ferguson House) is a historic home in Orange Park, Florida. It is located at 2104 Winterbourne Street West, on the St. Johns River. On February 23, 1996, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Usage examples of "winterbourne".
The thought of her rattling around the Metropole, as stuffy as it was expensive, or alone at Winterbourne Manor just waiting for Luke to come home was very depressing.
Daisy tripped about the vaulted chambers, rustled her skirts in the corkscrew staircases, flirted back with a pretty little cry and a shudder from the edge of the oubliettes, and turned a singularly well-shaped ear to everything that Winterbourne told her about the place.
Singular though it may seem, Winterbourne was vexed that the young girl, in joining her amoroso, should not appear more impatient of his own company, and he was vexed because of his inclination.
She found a great many pretexts in the rugged embrasures of Chillon for asking Winterbourne sudden questions about himself--his family, his previous history, his tastes, his habits, his intentions--and for supplying information upon corresponding points in her own personality.
I expect some distant relative died and left an inheritance that has made up for the one that Winterbourne frittered away.
What if Lord Winterbourne was intending a surprise attack on Luden Macks in violation of the truce?
Lord Winterbourne led his forces against Luden Macks and killed him in revenge.
Had he defeated Macks the king would have been restored to the crown and Winterbourne become again merely another rich lord.